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Character of Bechard — Grimorium Verum (De Secretis, 17th c.)

Bechard

Under Duke Syrach · Verum · South

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What you ask of it

Has power over the winds and storms: lightning, hail and all manner of rain.

Verum · South

Ancient forms

Beschard · Bechaud

First documented attestation

In the De Secretis manuscripts (Clavicula Salomonis de secretis, 17th c. — Dresden N.91, Rps 3352 II, Venice b.93) as «Beschard», with its power and its drawn character. This is the stratum preceding the printed Verum.

Power in the manuscript (De Secretis, Latin)

«Beschard In ventos, Tempestates, pruinas, hyemes, fulmina, nives, grandines, pluvias omnismodi, sive cum bufonibus, sive cum Sanguine, sive cum Lapidibus ciendas, vel compescendas Imperium habet.»

De Secretis · SLUB Dresden, Mscr.Dresd.N.91 · p.20-21 (ms.12-13)

The passage in the manuscript facsimile (De Secretis · SLUB Dresden, Mscr.Dresd.N.91, 17th c. · public domain). See all eighteen on the Duke Syrach page.
The passage in the manuscript facsimile (De Secretis · SLUB Dresden, Mscr.Dresd.N.91, 17th c. · public domain). See all eighteen on the Duke Syrach page.

This same character is also drawn (in red and green ink) in L'Art Magique (Wellcome MS.983, ~1709), the French witness closest to the printed Verum — public domain.

The character in the manuscript (colour)

The same character of Bechard, hand-drawn in red and green ink in «L'Art Magique» (Wellcome MS.983, ca. 1709) — the French witness closest to the printed Grimorium Verum. Public domain.
The same character of Bechard, hand-drawn in red and green ink in «L'Art Magique» (Wellcome MS.983, ca. 1709) — the French witness closest to the printed Grimorium Verum. Public domain.

How it is invoked (De Secretis, 17th c.)

To make it rain: wash with seawater a circle traced on the ground; in the center, a heliotrope stone; on the right, engrave the character of Bescard, on the left, that of Elelogaphael; over the staff pronounce 'Heleluga phatel' and the sky will fill with clouds until they resolve into water.

De Secretis · Mscr.Dresd.N.91 · p.29-30 (ms.21-22)

In our library · the printed Verum

The printed Grimorium Verum (Plaingière ed., 18th c.) names Bechard among the eighteen spirits under Duke Syrach and sets out its office. Read it with the facsimile in our edition.

Sources

Offices transcribed by us from L'Art Magique (Wellcome MS.983, ca. 1709, public domain) and collated with the 17th-c. De Secretis manuscripts. Historical, educational material.

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